Cruising at sea on our way to Southampton.  Wet and very windy so the upper decks were closed and we couldn’t have our planned sports challenge day.  However a quiet day with a good book didn’t go amiss.  But there was some unexpected action while we were having lunch.  

Most people sat indoors but we were the foolhardy who decided to eat in our usual spot – on the outside deck.  We had just sat down when there was an announcement of a medical emergency on board  so a helicopter evacuation was to be undertaken.  

Not long til the helicopter approached from Amsterdam – what an extraordinary sight.  Wild winds, rough seas, a helicopter being held steady at the same speed as the ship, medical crew and all their equipment transferring to the ship.  The patient was then treated and prepped into a stretcher while the helicopter circled nearby before returning to transfer the patient from ship to helicopter, followed by the equipment and crew.  It was quite a long process but left us in awe at the skill and dedication of emergency rescue teams.